BBC removes 11 blackface sketches from That Mitchell and Webb Look

The BBC has taken 11 sketches that feature blackface and other racially insensitive portrayals out of the comedy series That Mitchell and Webb Look as it returns to iPlayer for the show’s 20th‑anniversary streaming launch. The cuts were made after Reddit users flagged the material, prompting the broadcaster to edit the archive before making the full series available again on Wednesday.

The move comes amid a wider reassessment of historic TV content that depicts race in a stereotypical way. Since the global protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder in 2020, the BBC has been under pressure to audit its library and remove or contextualise material that no longer meets modern standards. Earlier this year the corporation pulled episodes of Little Britain and The Mick Hale Show, and it introduced a “warning label” system for older programmes that contain problematic content. The decision to edit That Mitchell and Webb Look reflects the same policy shift, as the broadcaster seeks to balance preserving comedy history with a responsibility to avoid normalising offensive imagery.

The excised sketches include a 2008 parody where the duo performed in blackface as part of a satire on television talent shows, as well as a brownface sketch that lampooned a fictional “exotic” restaurant. In a brief statement, the BBC said the edits were “necessary to ensure the content aligns with our current editorial standards.” Mitchell and Webb, who have previously defended their work as intentionally absurd, issued a short comment on social media, acknowledging the concerns and saying they “support the BBC’s effort to make comedy inclusive.” Fans have been divided; some applaud the removal as a step toward cultural sensitivity, while others argue it erases a part of British comedy history.

Going forward, the BBC says the remaining episodes of That Mitchell and Webb Look will stay on iPlayer, accompanied by a disclaimer that explains the context of any remaining material that could be viewed as offensive. The broadcaster also announced a broader review of its comedy catalogue, with plans to add similar warnings or edits where needed. Industry observers note that the BBC’s actions may set a precedent for other streaming services, which are increasingly expected to curate legacy content in line with contemporary values. The debate over how to handle historic comedy continues, but the BBC’s latest edit signals a clear shift toward more cautious stewardship of its archives.